Ohio unemployment edges higher

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio matched the U.S. unemployment rate in August as joblessness rose in the state for the third month in a row, officials said Friday.

Unemployment edged up in Ohio to 9.1 percent last month, from 9.0 percent in July, the Department of Job and Family Services said. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the nation’s jobless rate held at 9.1 percent during August.

Joblessness has gone up steadily in the state in recent months since the rate stood at a more than two-year low of 8.6 percent during April and May. Ohio’s rising unemployment reflects concerns about the economy, said Ben Johnson, a department spokesman.

“Consumer confidence is low, businesses appear to be reluctant to hire, and there are a number of other pressures on the economy right now,” Johnson said, citing energy prices and the perception of gridlock in Washington as a couple of examples.

The state’s unemployment rate remains lower than a year ago, Johnson noted. In August 2010, Ohio had joblessness of 9.9 percent. Last month, 536,000 workers were unemployed in Ohio, up from 529,000 in July, officials said. Employment outside of farms declined by 700.

Industries that saw the most job losses included professional and business services; manufacturing; and trade, transportation, and utilities. Gainers included educational and health services and construction.

“We feel like the economy is headed in the right direction in general, though this summer, unemployment has climbed, and we have taken a few steps backward,” Johnson said.